ABSTRACT
The lectin histochemistry of ameloblastoma was investigated in order to understand the nature of the carbohydrate residues in this tumor, in accordance with the WHO subclassification. Mannose and glucose were generally common in almost all cells in both the follicular and plexiform types, especially stellate cells and cystic lesions of the follicular type. N- acetylglucosamine (GlcNac), N-acetylneuraminic acid (NANA) and galactose were much more abundant in stellate cells of the plexiform type than in those of the follicular type. Thus, there is a slight difference in lectin histochemistry of the stellate cells between the follicular and plexiform types of ameloblastoma.
Subject(s)
Ameloblastoma/chemistry , Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate , Carbohydrates/analysis , Humans , Immunoenzyme Techniques , Immunohistochemistry , Lectins/diagnosis , Staining and LabelingABSTRACT
Lectins are sugar binding proteins or glycoproteins of non-immune origin derived from various plants or animals with specific sugar binding capacity. This property of lectins can be used to identify structural differences between normal and malignant cells. Malignant transformation is accompanied by several changes in cell membrane. Studies have shown that the lectin binding pattern of these cells may indicate the invasive potential of tumours. Lectins can also be used as carriers. Lectins conjugated to chemotherapeutic agents has been found to be more useful in the treatment of tumours induced in animals.
Subject(s)
Agglutination Tests , Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate , Glycoconjugates/immunology , Histocytochemistry , Lectins/diagnosis , Monosaccharides/immunology , Neoplasms/chemistry , Receptors, MitogenABSTRACT
Twenty cases with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) were studied and compared with a control group with non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and another group of nondiabetic healthy persons. Lymphocytes of each group were tested for agglutination with three sets of lectins: concavalin A (ConA), soyabean agglutinin (SBA) and peanut agglutinin (PNA). SBA test, being highly positive in IDDM and persistently negative in NIDDM, is the most significant of the three tests for differentiating between the two types of diabetes mellitus.